Connect
← Return to Does medical marijuana work for chronic pain?
Discussion
Does medical marijuana work for chronic pain?
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Apr 8 10:05am | Replies (640)Comment receiving replies
Dear Chris - I'm responding to this old post of yours, particularly your observation that "we use these medications, you will find that it takes a little more as our usage time lengthens.". Can you tell us more about what the curve of increased look like for you?
I'm trying to make good decisions about this therapy, because an experimenting for the last few weeks, I have found that pure CBG tincture (50mg dose, Lazarus Naturals) works well for controlling nerve pain and anxiety, but my body seems to react badly (with worsening symptoms) when I try to reduce the dose, even after only a few weeks.
I'm a bit worried about dependence, especially if I should expect to increase dosage steadily over time. If I took the same amount every day and got relief, I would be happy to take it forever, but I'm worried if I will have to keep steadily upping the dose to get relief, as I'm still in my early '50s.
Can you share, in the last 2 years since your post, how much has your dose had to increase, relative to the first 7 years that you described? Or any other concrete details about the rate of increase you've had to use to keep a steady effect? Many thanks!
Replies to "Dear Chris - I'm responding to this old post of yours, particularly your observation that "we..."
It might be easier to say that Cannabis is not a pain killer, it is more a pain blocker.
Good evening @erin123
Thanks for dwelling on my past. I do remember writing that post when I was facing the same issue. With cannabis, we are our own prescribers and are also responsible for appropriate dosages. It is not easy to always be on top of the pain "game".
Let me start by mentioning the impact of barometric pressure. When the BP goes below 30......it can mean that even if you take the same dose of 1:1 CBD/THC your body will have more pain than when the BP is above 30. This is one of the most difficult situations to deal with and may explain your "worsening symptoms".
Since you have asked about the need to "up the dose" to get relief as you grow older and your SFN (small fiber neuropathy) becomes more intense, I have been dealing with the same questions and issues. Here is a list of what I have experienced in the last year or so.
1. Five years ago, I had one hourly session of MFR (myofascial release therapy) every week with one therapist. Today, I have two hourly sessions every week and have two attendant therapists at every session.
2. Five years ago, I used just 1/4 of a tincture dropper of 1:1 CBD/THC in the morning and switched to a 1/2 dropper of 2:1 CBD/THC in the afternoon and at bedtime. Today I use 1/2 of a tincture dropper of 1:1 CBD/THC in the morning and a full dropper of 2:1 CBD/THC at bedtime. There may be other times when I want to be more aggressive about the THC because research is showing that THC has greater potential to control pain. So....I endure a bit of psychoactivity just to have an easy pain free afternoon. What I am working on now is fitting in more stretching exercises, especially in my feet and legs. Without the twice-a-week MFR for my feet I would have to give up driving.
3. In addition to Yoga stretches, I also have added exercises for balance and stability to avoid falls. And what works best is the 2-mile walk in the park almost every day that climate permits. It is quite different living in Minnesota than in California and Hawaii.
4. Because living with pain is just plain exhausting, I do find that now that I turned 80 this year, my energy level has diminished a bit and I even take naps more frequently.
5. I do want to mention another issue and that is this: for me, pain tolerance has increased at a certain level. What used to be a level 7 or 8 is now a 4 or 5. Simply put, I can now tolerate pain at a higher level. I know what it is. I am not afraid, and I adjust my behavior accordingly.
6. And finally, I have increased my practice of mindfulness and meditation. I find joy in every day. I am busy with my volunteer work with Mayo Connect which adds considerable value to daily living. My life partner and I have semi-adopted three 14-year-old girls. Last week was his birthday and they came over to cook dinner for him. We are thrilled that they want to share their precious teen time with us. We are also active grandparents for 4 grandchildren. We see them about twice a year and love every minute of our time together.
I hope this helps you. Please remember that everyone is different. Some folks just manage pain and discomfort better than others. You are only 50. I am 80. Let's hope the world continues to meet your requirements for ease and comfort so that you can enjoy your senior years.
Let me know if you have any questions or if I left something out. I am here for you.
May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris
Connect
@erin123 Hi Erin,
I'd like to chime in on this. CBD is not addicting. There is not proof that THC is addicting, meaning you need to use more or have withdrawal. . You may have heard 100 year old propaganda that it is. There are issues that it can interfere with other drugs, like Benzos. That can intensify and sometimes diminish the effect of other drugs. So when you say worsening symptoms?, the key is to find out why this is happening. Are these symptoms caused from the original condition or ailment? Did they suddenly appear after taking the tincture? Are you taking drugs that interact with THC and CBD?
Cannabis does interact with your immune system, it can so micro dosing or reducing the amount is often helpful to make your system work. Meaning more is not always going to work better. Less can be more.
Kind regards Don